February 12th, 2021
by Amy Sanders
by Amy Sanders
Next week is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. For some of you, this season means Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday always precedes Ash Wednesday and has religious roots). For St. Louisans, Lent marks the beginning of fish fry season. For others, it is a vaguely familiar time when some people come to work with those weird smudges on their forehead. But for Christians, Ash Wednesday is a time to remember our sin and mortality. Somber, yes. But, an important acknowledgement in the road toward fully understanding and experiencing the forgiveness offered in Jesus death and the new life offered in the resurrection. Good Friday and Easter Sunday begin with acknowledging our sin, the reality of death, and our need for a savior. This acknowledgment is what Ash Wednesday is all about.
But, it doesn’t end there. Ash Wednesday is an invitation into a season, a journey towards the cross and empty tomb. For 40 days, Christians are asked to renounce certain worldly things (think meat on Friday, chocolate or whatever else people give up for Lent), so that they can set aside time for prayer, contemplation, and a renewed relationship with God. This journey finds its climax in the events of Holy Week, and the ultimate destination is the good news of Easter. I think this year especially, this journey takes on new meaning. Mortality is not theoretical – we’ve seen it. The power of death cannot be ignored. Our need for a rescuer is palpable.
That is why we need Lent. That is why I want to offer you the invitation to journey with us here at The Gathering through this season. On Ash Wednesday, we will have a powerful online worship experience. It will be livestreamed at 7AM and 7PM. You can find it on our website or wherever you watch Sunday worship. Additionally, we have a daily Lenten devotional that you can subscribe to through our app or website. The devotional will offer you a scripture, reflection, and short prayer to practice every day of Lent.
I encourage you to join us for worship on Ash Wednesday and sign up now for the devotional. These small practices can have a big impact on our relationship with God, especially if you are in need of reconnecting with God or the church in light of the past year.
Before I go, please stay connected and read your mNote. Next week, I am going to share The Gathering’s Easter plans (you will want to hear it!), as well as plans for in person worship. I know many of you are eager to know what the next few months will hold.
This weekend, we will continue our series on work called Essential. We will be talking about the difference between a call and a job. Don’t forget it is Valentine’s Day Sunday, and my advice is do something thoughtful for the person you love – and do it first thing in the morning! Have a great weekend, and I will see you Sunday.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. This week on my podcast The F Word: Conversations on Faith I am talking to Richard Boswell, an excellent marriage therapist. We are talking all about healthy relationships, conflicts, and how to avoid the pitfalls that cause relationships to fail. Whether you are in a committed relationship now, or want to be in one in the future, this conversation will be really helpful. You can listen to the episode Sunday afternoon by subscribing to the podcast here. Or listen live on The Big 550 KTRS Sunday at 3.
But, it doesn’t end there. Ash Wednesday is an invitation into a season, a journey towards the cross and empty tomb. For 40 days, Christians are asked to renounce certain worldly things (think meat on Friday, chocolate or whatever else people give up for Lent), so that they can set aside time for prayer, contemplation, and a renewed relationship with God. This journey finds its climax in the events of Holy Week, and the ultimate destination is the good news of Easter. I think this year especially, this journey takes on new meaning. Mortality is not theoretical – we’ve seen it. The power of death cannot be ignored. Our need for a rescuer is palpable.
That is why we need Lent. That is why I want to offer you the invitation to journey with us here at The Gathering through this season. On Ash Wednesday, we will have a powerful online worship experience. It will be livestreamed at 7AM and 7PM. You can find it on our website or wherever you watch Sunday worship. Additionally, we have a daily Lenten devotional that you can subscribe to through our app or website. The devotional will offer you a scripture, reflection, and short prayer to practice every day of Lent.
I encourage you to join us for worship on Ash Wednesday and sign up now for the devotional. These small practices can have a big impact on our relationship with God, especially if you are in need of reconnecting with God or the church in light of the past year.
Before I go, please stay connected and read your mNote. Next week, I am going to share The Gathering’s Easter plans (you will want to hear it!), as well as plans for in person worship. I know many of you are eager to know what the next few months will hold.
This weekend, we will continue our series on work called Essential. We will be talking about the difference between a call and a job. Don’t forget it is Valentine’s Day Sunday, and my advice is do something thoughtful for the person you love – and do it first thing in the morning! Have a great weekend, and I will see you Sunday.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. This week on my podcast The F Word: Conversations on Faith I am talking to Richard Boswell, an excellent marriage therapist. We are talking all about healthy relationships, conflicts, and how to avoid the pitfalls that cause relationships to fail. Whether you are in a committed relationship now, or want to be in one in the future, this conversation will be really helpful. You can listen to the episode Sunday afternoon by subscribing to the podcast here. Or listen live on The Big 550 KTRS Sunday at 3.
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2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
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More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
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2023
January
February
Explore - Week 1Explore - Week 2Explore - Week 3Explore - Week 4God is Leading Us Forward // M-Note 2.3.23SENT: Week 1 Discussion GuideSomething To Try This Weekend // M-Note 2.10.23SENT: Week 2 Discussion GuideWe're Doing Something Big! // M-Note 2.17.23SENT: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 1Lent Devotional Day 2Lent Devotional Day 3SENT: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 4Lent Devotional Day 5Lent Devotional Day 6Lent Devotional Day 7
March
Lent Devotional Day 8Lent Devotional Day 9Celebrating BEYOND // M-Note 3.3.2023Who Is Jesus: BONUS Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 10Lent Devotional Day 11Lent Devotional Day 12Who Is Jesus: Week 1 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 13Lent Devotional Day 14Lent Devotional Day 15Lent Devotional Day 16Lent Devotional Day 17The Evening Service is BACK!!! // M-Note 3.10.23Lent Devotional Day 18Lent Devotional Day 19Who Is Jesus: Week 2 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 20Lent Devotional Day 21Lent Devotional Day 22Lent Devotional Day 23The Most Important Sunday of the Year // M-Note 3.17.23Who Is Jesus: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 24Lent Devotional Day 25Lent Devotional Day 26Lent Devotional Day 27Lent Devotional Day 28Lent Devotional Day 29Lent Devotional Day 30The Power of Easter and Invitation // M-Note 3.24.23Lent Devotional Day 31Who Is Jesus: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 32Lent Devotional Day 33Lent Devotional Day 34Lent Devotional Day 35Lent Devotional Day 36Lent Devotional Day 37You Can't Miss This Part // M-Note 4.1.23Lent Devotional Day 38
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